Huron Valley Lutheran's volleyball team wasn't just on the brink of defeat Tuesday night against Lutheran Westland; the Hawks had fallen over the cliff and were hanging on for dear life from a skinny tree branch.

But much like Popeye following a couple cans of spinach, HVL regrouped and overcame a 14-10 fifth-set deficit to win 17-15 and secure an entertaining victory over the Warriors.

Senior Madison Dest propelled the last-minute surge for the winners as she knocked down kills on four of her team's final five points.

Lutheran Westland struck first by winning the opening set, 25-21, before the hosts rebounded to seize games two and three, 25-10 and 25-16.

The Warriors deadlocked the match at 2-2 with a 25-22 victory in the fourth stanza before HVL closed strong to win the first of two meetings this season between the friendly rivals.

"It was back and forth all night; I thought both teams played well," said HVL head coach Mike Dest. "Fortunately, we had a good rotation at the end of the last game; Madison was in the front row and our back row was passing well. Lutheran Westland has a very good team. They were scrapping right down to the very last point."

The victory improved the Hawks' record to 9-7-3 overall and 2-1 in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference. Madison Dest was all over the post-match stat sheet as she picked up 33 kills, nine digs and three service aces.